Thalassotherapy is a type of therapy that makes use of the sea (water, seaweed, mud and other substances extracted from the sea) and its associated marine climate as a therapeutic agent. Water is collected far from the shore and is then treated and sterilized to guarantee the absence of pathogens before being applied in different types of treatments. The origins of the word come from the Greek ‘thalassa’ (sea) and ‘therapeia’ (healing).

Thalassotherapy’s healing properties come from water, algae and air
This type of therapy is based on the marine climate and the sea itself, which contains more than 80 elements necessary for the proper functioning of the human organism. Some of these elements extracted from the sea have anti-tumoural, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
The composition of seawater is similar to that of blood plasma. This has a beneficial effect on the balance of the human organism by means of osmotic absorption.
The temperature required to facilitate the process of osmosis is between 35°C and 37°C, the same as that of the human body. This allows absorption through the skin of the elements contained in the water, especially iodine and sodium, thus renewing the properties of the skin.
Seaweed feeds from the sea, thus storing all types of marine substances. It is a carrier of vitamins A, B, C, E, F and K, as well as a high content of iron, calcium, proteins and a large number of minerals.
The application of seaweed provides the human organism with marine substances and vitamins. It also has antibiotic, anti-tumoural, antioxidant and antiviral properties, and slows the ageing of the skin. Sea air, saturated with microdrops of seawater, is rich in ozone and iodine, and has antibiotic, relaxation and defence-enhancing properties.

Uses of thalassotherapy
Thalassotherapy is used in the treatment of many pathologies, including the following:

• Analgesic: reduces pain in general as well as in specific parts of the body.
• Chronic and acute processes affecting the locomotory apparatus such as rheumatism, osteoporosis and spinal column disorders.
• In the circulatory system, principally pathologies affecting peripheral circulation.
• Post-operative processes, traumatism, respiratory pathologies, neurological problems or any type of pathology in which functional recovery is required.
• Pathologies affecting the respiratory system, particularly asthma and pharyngitis.
• In locomotory and musculoskeletal pathologies, thalassotherapy is used to reduce edemas.
• For dermatological purposes, it is used in the treatment of psoriasis.
• In gynaecology, it is used to treat problems related to menopause and puberty.
  

But thalassotherapy is not only used to treat physical problems. Some of the main applications of thalassotherapy relate to relaxation, stress, depression, insomnia and fatigue. As well as the physical benefits of thalassotherapy, other elements to be taken into account are the surroundings, air, water and tranquillity of the sea, all helpful in these types of treatments.
Not to be forgotten is prevention, as thalassotherapy is a valuable aid in slowing down the onset of rheumatism and physical disabilities.
In the field of aesthetics, thalassotherapy improves the tissues, combats fatigue and cellulite, and slows down the ageing of the skin.
Another use of thalassotherapy is the reduction of periods of convalescence in long-term healing processes.
The effects of thalassotherapy can be noted after a minimum of seven days’ treatment.